"I Just Want to Return as an Ordinary Person"... Visiting Former President Moon's Yangsan Residence Ahead of Retirement

Final construction work is underway at the private residence of President Moon Jae-in, visible beyond the construction barricade. Photo by Joo Cheol-in lx906@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jucheol In] "I want to return as a forgotten person." "I just want to end as the president."

President Moon Jae-in said this about his plans after his term during the New Year's press conference in January 2020. The place President Moon chose to return as a forgotten person is 'Pyeongsan Village.'

On the 16th, the reporter visited the residence known to be where President Moon will live starting from his retirement in May. From the Pyeongsan Village Hall in Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam, it takes about a 4-minute walk up an alley to reach President Moon's residence, which is about a month away from completion.

The building is generally designed facing south, with a roof resembling an upside-down book, combining light gray and white colors to blend with the surrounding environment. The modest appearance of the building reflects the president's intention to be with the villagers as one resident rather than bringing special changes to the village due to the residence.

The residence was busy with final construction work. Workers were busy finishing up on the access road. Behind them, an excavator was continuously working. On the left and rear sides of the residence, about ten workers were accelerating construction on the security office, including framework and external insulation work. The residence is currently finishing exterior work and undergoing interior work such as air conditioning and electrical installations.

On the afternoon of the 16th, finishing construction work is underway at the private residence of President Moon Jae-in in Pyeongsan Village, Jisan-ri, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam. Photo by Joo Cheol-in lx906@

The architectural design of the residence was entrusted to architect Seung Hyo-sang, a 50-year close acquaintance of President Moon. He is one of Korea's leading architects and designed and built the late President Roh Moo-hyun's burial site in Bongha Village in 2010.

The residence is located on the slopes of Yeongchwisan, part of the 'Yeongnam Alps' in Yangsan-si. It is about 7 minutes (4 km) to Tongdosa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site; 50 minutes (56 km) to Bongha Village in Gimhae, where the late President Roh Moo-hyun is buried; 22 minutes (14 km) to Sky Park (Catholic Cemetery), where President Moon's late mother Kang Han-ok rests; and about 40 minutes (35 km) to the existing Maegok-dong residence.

President Moon's residence is situated slightly higher than other houses in Pyeongsan Village. True to the name 'Pyeongsan (平山),' it has a more open terrain surrounded by mountains and valleys compared to Maegok Village, but unlike Bongha Village in Gimhae, it is a cluster of narrow roads, farmland, and houses.

This provides excellent conditions for President Moon, who hopes to be a 'good neighbor' rather than bringing major changes as a 'presidential village.'

The villagers were still focused on their livelihoods rather than how to welcome the president. One villager smiled and said, "I expect real estate prices might rise a bit once the hiking trails and roads are reorganized and parking lots are built."

Another villager expressed both anticipation and concern about becoming neighbors with President Moon. Mr. A, in his 60s, said, "Since security personnel will be stationed here, safety will improve, but people are already asking where the residence is. I worry that the quiet neighborhood will become noisy once President Moon moves in."

Yangsan City is installing sidewalks along with the maintenance of a two-lane road for round trips up to Jisan Village to prepare for traffic congestion. Photo by Joo Cheol-in lx906@

Infrastructure around the residence is planned to be significantly expanded. Yangsan City has decided to secure roads and parking lots to prepare for traffic congestion. The 1 km section from the entrance of Tongdo Fantasia to the Jisan-ri intersection where President Moon's residence is located will be widened to 12 meters, and a two-lane urban planning road with sidewalks will be installed up to Jisan Village.

Along with this, the city has started a project to improve the street environment, which includes creating a 2.5 km walking trail around the residence area to develop it as a tourist resource.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.